Program Overview

The Global Executive Track (GET) Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at Wayne State University includes and expounds upon the systems, processes, and activities integral to major global organizations. Central to the GET program are two core courses – Idea through Launch and Launch through Sustainability. In the Idea through Launch course, learning partners explore the processes of creating and developing a product or service from the ideation stage to the launch stage. The Launch through Sustainability course picks up the product life-cycle process where Idea through Launch leaves off. Learning partners explore the life-cycle process of a product or service with respect to product and business sustainability. The core courses are divided into integrated content modules. Modules for the Idea through Launch course include innovation, knowledge management, lean and global product/service development, human factors, and launch readiness. The Launch through Sustainability course modules emphasize design of the global supply and distribution network as well as logistics, lean manufacturing, quality, supplier integration, customer relations, and ecological considerations for end-of-life product disposition, including reuse and remanufacturing.

The GET program also promotes the development of advanced technical skills. All learning partners are advised to take upper-level graduate courses such as Risk and Decision Analysis This course focuses on the structure and analysis of technical management decisions with emphasis on multiple objectives, trade-offs, and significant uncertainty.  There also are a number of course offerings available to our learning partners as electives that address such topics as product development, operations research, supply chain management, systems engineering, quality management, information engineering, and leadership of the global technical organization. GET program learning partners also are encouraged to elect directed studies in their particular areas of interest, working with faculty who are experts in the field.

Unlike many other executive doctoral programs, the Global Executive Track Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering requires the successful completion of a technical dissertation. Learning partners will take the knowledge and best practices gained from their coursework and apply it to an area of original research. They have the opportunity to pursue management science or technical research and work with faculty members to determine the best plan of study in accordance with personal interests and organizational objectives.